Three injured in Dickson City wreck

Linda Morgan / Staff Photographer
A dump truck and a car involved in a wreck on Dundaff Street in Dickson City await tow trucks Friday. The truck, whose driver said its brakes failed, ran into the back of the car, police said.

DICKSON CITY - Three people were injured Friday in an early morning crash.

The wreck, which involved a dump truck, sport utility vehicle and two sedans, happened when the driver of a Valvano Construction dump truck hit a late-model Toyota, which was stopped at a traffic light at Scott Road and Dundaff Street, Dickson City Police Chief William Bilinski said.

"The dump-truck driver told us that his brakes failed and he couldn't stop," Chief Bilinski said.

The Toyota, which was driven by an unidentified woman, was pushed by the truck about a quarter of a mile toward Main Street. Before they came to a halt, two other vehicles were hit.

Police declined to identify anyone involved in the crash.

Three people were taken to hospitals. Each of the vehicles deployed air bags.

Chief Bilinski said he wasn't sure of the extent of injuries to any of the victims.

"What we do know is that this could have been much worse. There is a bus stop just a few more feet from where the crash ended, so everyone is very lucky," Chief Bilinski said.

Dundaff Street between Scott Road and Main Street was closed for more than an hour as rescue vehicles, state and local police, tow trucks and PPL Electric Utilities workers responded to the crash.

Construction workers watched from rooftops and neighbors and other onlookers quickly crowded the area to get a glimpse of the damaged vehicles, which were spread over a wide area along Dundaff Street.

Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com

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25 posted comments

The store was 'Mason's" ... a little candy, soda pop store, next door was a shoe repair store. Those steps today actually replaced the old wwoden steps destroyed by the tractor trailer that lost it's "BRAKES" back in the 60's. The driver back then lost the brakes up above Siniawa's Pond. The mus shots was bigger at that time, and the Tractor part of the truck was stuck in the Ball Room as they called it back then. I think 2 boys were killed - Lenny Buza and a lad from the flats. I can't remember the name ... started with a "P" I think. The Mug shots back then was known as "Slam's" and they had cross dressers dancing there. It was changed to Mug Shots, and burned in 1988. Then Mugs rebuilt to the building it is today. Masons was changed into apartments, and it also burned with a young boy dying there also.

if your familiar with dickson city, next to the bar mugshots you will see an empty lot that still holds a pair of steps. In 1961, a truck driver lost his brakes and crashed into those steps, which at the time was a store. A little boy was killed. If you drive down Scott Rd. you will see signs posted that trucks aren't allowed down. I'm not sure about Dundaff.

Seems to me that the investigation is already complete since the road is open again. Ashamed has no room to complain here. All the Emergency Responders worked together perfectly controlling the crash scene in a minimal time frame. Ah, what was your bitch again? Jealousy of these same individuals will get YOU nowhere. Get over it already, or quit.

Ashamed needs some education here instead of stupid remarks just made. The Police Chief called in the Pa. State Police because it involved a runaway Commercial Vehicle causing multiple injuries and damage.This truck was impounded for further investigation, which may lead to furthur charges. The State Police have the reconstruction Team for such type incidents. The police dept and all emergency responders acted in a very professional manner. Yeah, it always takes a fool as yourself to complain about an incident after the fact. Armchair and Monday Morning Quarterbacks come a dime a dozen. We have the best qualified emergency responders in this town, and since you are so ashamed, I suggest you just move. Or better yet, just shut up !

people's lives changed today and still you need to find your ways to get the jabs in...taxes, why don't you go find one of the passengers from the car that is pictured in front of the dump truck and ask them if they saw the black car...and the lawyer comments.i think the families of the victims are more concerned that their loved one makes it through the night...ridiculous

I FEEL BAD FOR THE TRUCK DRIVER BECAUSE ITS NOT HIS FAULT ITS THE OWNER HE DONT KEEP UP ON HIS STUFF HE PUTS ALL THE MONEY IN HIS POCKET JUST LIKE THE REST OF FAMILY AND IF THE DRIVER SAID HE WASNT DRIVING IT HES GONE.

It was a stop sign, there is no light at Dundaff and Scott. Brakes or not, trucks fly up and down Dundaff St all the time. It could have been much worse, but unless these truck drivers AND car drivers that drive too fast are held responsible, it will get worse. The State Police, DCPD, DCFD and EMS all did a wonderful job, thank you!

I love the "brakes failed" excuse. I'd give these yo-yo truck drivers once chance to tell the truth. If there proves to be nothing wrong with the brakes - 5 yrs minimum prison time. The next best one is the little red car --